Free legal advice cuts 'leave migrants lost in a maze'

An expert in immigration has spoken out about how migrants will be negatively affected by cuts to free legal advice.

Steve Medley, a senior immigration caseworker at a solicitors and a member of Young Legal Aid Workers, wrote for the Guardian that the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) has now entered administration and Refugee and Migrant Justice has also closed.

Mr Medley pointed out that the IAS said its decision was a result of cuts being made to free legal advice services.

"Its closure could demonstrate the true extent of how some of the most vulnerable members of society will be affected by the loss of legal aid," Mr Medley added.

He also said that if the IAS does close, those requiring its services must be informed of what will happen next, and told of this in their native language.

In addition, Julian Bild, a spokesperson for the IAS, said that as a result of the charity falling into administration many vulnerable clients will not be represented.

Published by Hannah Carr